Have you ever had that conversation with your friends when you made the statement, "Hey do you remember when we were young and......?" Yeah of course you have. That convo that sparks up because you remember a toy from childhood or a cartoon you use to watch. Then, after having these amazing discussions of great moments from your past you realize that they were 5,10 + years ago. How does that make you feel? For myself it always surprises me how I always thought I'd feel time pass instead of looking back and realize that I never even noticed time go by. As a society we live in a fast paced environment and well let's just burst my bubble: you can't actually see time fly.
These conversations really get your gears going about how much has changed in your lifetime and how much older you are. Sometimes though, it isn't even that discussion that changes your perspective. It's a simple visit to your local (insert brand here) retailer. You pass by the toy aisle for whatever reason (Really I don't want to know. Let's just say you have kids.) and you see they same exact toy you had when you were a kid only it's on the shelf advertised as "vintage" or "__th Anniversary Edition". Yeah that'll do it! Where did the time go when your old toys are now considered vintage?
The other day I was doing some window shopping, strolling in front of a local strip mall. I pass a store that I can remember the "it" store to shop at if you were between the ages of 12 and 17. That was a punch in the gut (not really b/c I'd never want to be that age more than once in a lifetime) because I'm 25 and could never shop there unless I wanted to look like a teenage wannabe in a quarter life crisis. Anyway, in the window there was a sign saying all graphic "T's" 50% off. Next to the sign there they were the infamous licensed graphic "T's". Only the images on the front shocked me because I was thinking of the ones we would buy because we thought it was cool to wear a shirt with our favorite cartoon characters on it. Hey, I'm not judging you because you wore them. I did too and I still have some to remind me that I am getting older. Also, if you never had one because it wasn't cool......then don't judge the rest of us. The shirts in the store front window were definitely not for our generation. The had t-shirts for cartoons my nephews use to watch as toddlers. So, here they are in no particular order.....are you ready: The Rugrats, Sponge Bob, Pokemon, Lady Gaga instead of Madonna just to name a few. What's next? Rocking Barney graphic "T's"? Who ever knew that The Rugrats would ever become one of those cartoons that you put on a t-shirt because it reminds you of when you were younger.
Today's generation of kids are sitting around with their friends hanging out because it's summer and they are talking about the things that remind them of the good ole days. That includes the cool new t-shirt that has their once upon a time favorite cartoon character on it. We mention watching Darkwing Duck and they say "What's that? Must have been a long time ago when you were young." Ha our Ghost Buster, Scooby Doo, Ninja Turtles graphic "T's" will beat yours any day you crazed teenage Justin Beiber fans! I really can't hate though because now I'm old enough to say, "Been there, done that." And I know how much you hate that! LOL!
